Having abseiled down the Transporter bridge at the age of 75 and completed a zipwire off the roof of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead two years ago at the age of 80, Kitty’s upcoming challenge even beats those.

Kitty is preparing herself for the longest and fastest zip in Europe in aid of Multiple Sclerosis Research after her daughter, Philippa was diagnosed with the neurological condition 10 years ago.

Having admitted that her previous challenges have been ‘incredibly tame,’ Kitty is sure this is the most exciting one that she can find to do.

Kitty Stephensen taking part in a zip slide from the Baltic on the River Tyne

Located in a disused slate quarry in North Wales, the zipwire challenge is one mile long and with a following wind, enabling individuals to reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, Kitty has imagined herself going down the wire ‘bullet-fashion, head first.’

Mum-of-three, Kitty said: “I’ve been called crazy on my earlier ventures but this is a whole different ball game and the craziest of the lot but I am looking forward to it.

“I’ve lost family members to MS and my daughter uses a wheelchair and is bed-bound most days.

“I want all the money I raise to go to research into this awful condition to help find a cure in the future.”

The challenge is part of ‘ChallengeMS,’ an annual fundraising event which is organised by the MS Society which aims to raise £125,000 for MS research during September.

Kitty, who hopes to raise £3,000, has been fundraising for 72 years but feels that this might be her last attempt at such challenges.

Kitty Stephensen with her children Ian, Philippa, and Eric

She said: “I’ve become more adventurous in my old age and I have a head for heights so I’m looking forward to doing the zipwire.

“I’m aware though that my bones and joints are more fragile than they were so I think this will be the last big challenge that I take on.”

The MS Society is the leading UK charity for the 100,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the UK.

Simon Moran, Area Fundraiser at the MS Society said: “It’s remarkable what Kitty is attempting to do to raise money for MS Research.

“We’re encouraging people to sign up to ChallengeMS to follow in Kitty’s footsteps and take on a personal challenge during September.

“Whether you decide to quit a habit, take on a creative challenge, enter a race or simply make a change to your daily life, the choice is yours.”